Sing: The Talented Furry

It was a bright April morning in Calatonia, and the weather was unusually peaceful. A spell of freezing rain had just passed, giving way to the lively warmth of summer.

The streets buzzed with activity. People hurried along the sidewalks—some on their way to work, others out for a jog. Cars and buses wove through traffic, their exhaust mingling with the crisp morning air. A few pedestrians were glued to their phones and laptops, lost in their own worlds.

The atmosphere was filled with energy, optimism—and the occasional puff of smoke from passing vehicles.

Among the crowd, one individual moved with quiet determination. A guitar was slung over his back as he made his way to the nearest transport stop. His name was Prince Jefferson, and today, he was heading somewhere that could change his life.

"I still can't believe I transmigrated into an alternate Earth…" he muttered under his breath, glancing at the people around him. Some looked familiar, their faces stirring vague memories—yet everything was slightly… off.

A month ago, he had woken up in an unfamiliar body. Strangely enough, this new identity shared his name and interests, but the differences were undeniable. The first shock? It was no longer 2025—it was 2015.

There were no COVID lockdowns, no Diddy parties, no naked wife walking at the Grammys, no ongoing war, no wildfires in Hollywood. People moved freely, blissfully unaware of the global disasters that had shaped his original timeline.

But that wasn't the strangest part.

This wasn't just an alternate Earth.

It was a world of furries.

Yes, every single inhabitant was either an Animer or a Beastman—anthropomorphic beings that walked, talked, and lived just like humans. Animers were fully animalistic creatures that stood on two legs, their fur and features intact. Beastmen, on the other hand, were hybrids—part human, part animal.

And Prince? He was now a white tiger Beastman—an albino, no less. His fur was a striking blend of white and black, with white hair and black hair strands. He had tiger ears, a tail, and patches of fur on certain parts of his body. It wasn't until he caught his reflection that the reality of his transformation truly sank in. Hours of scouring the internet yielded no explanations. After diving as deep as the second page of a Google search, he gave up and accepted his fate.

Honestly, what other choice did he have?

"Maybe Scrat designed this world by accident… After all, that nut-obsessed squirrel did break up Pangaea and rearrange the solar system." It was a stupid thought, but at this point, nothing seemed impossible.

Despite the world's technological similarities to his own, there were odd discrepancies—particularly in entertainment. Movies, celebrities, and songs he once knew either didn't exist or had bizarre equivalents. There was no Ed Sheeran, but there was Ed Sheepran, whose song Thinking Out Loud was still a hit. Taylor Swift's, Love Story existed too—though he wasn't sure if she was a Beastman… or a fox.

This led to an interesting realization: he could recreate songs from his world and pass them off as his own. But it wasn't that simple. While he remembered many lyrics, the melodies, chords, and intricate details were hazy at best. At most, he could piece together rough approximations. And even if he managed to write a solid song, there was no guarantee it would resonate the same way here.

"Sigh… Well, everything's about to change now that I have that skill."

With that thought, Prince hailed a taxi and got in.

---

A few minutes later, Prince stepped out of the cab and took in the sight before him. Thousands of people had gathered outside Calatonia Arena, the venue for the Rising Star auditions.

The show—a nationwide singing competition—had dominated ratings since its debut in 2013 and was now entering its third season. Despite controversy over alleged rigging in the previous season, its popularity remained untouched.

Contestants filled the area. Some were accompanied by family and friends, while others—like Prince—had come alone. Confidence levels varied. Some carried an air of certainty, while others clung to fragile hope, unsure of their talents but eager to try. And then there were those who were simply here for attention.

Prince spotted a bunny dressed in a bunny costume. Several others were in elaborate cosplay. Someone had even come dressed as Po from Kung Fu Panda, while a group wore armor reminiscent of sci-fi troopers.

"This world is insane."

Adjusting his guitar strap, he navigated through the dense crowd, careful not to bump into anyone. The weight of his instrument made maneuvering difficult, but he managed. Upon reaching the registration counter, he found himself in a long line. Half an hour passed before he finally reached the front.

The Rising Star registration had already been completed online. Contestants only needed to present their downloaded forms for verification before being guided to the audition hall.

A female antelope staff member glanced at his form.

"Contestant number 633?" she confirmed, checking her list.

"Yep."

"Take this ID card and head through that door." She scribbled his number on an identification badge and handed it to him. "If you're lucky, your turn will be today. Otherwise, come early tomorrow."

Prince accepted the card, glanced around the bustling hall, then proceeded toward the designated door. The security staff checked his ID and let him through.

The hallway led to a massive waiting room, packed with over a hundred contestants. Seats were scarce. Some people had brought their own chairs, while others sat on the floor or stood.

Prince drew a few glances upon entering, but interest in him faded quickly—he was just another hopeful among many. Finding an empty corner, he sat down and placed his guitar beside him.

"I wonder if my turn will come today."

He checked his second-hand wristwatch, a relic from his body's previous owner.

8:30 AM.

He had deliberately arrived early, knowing over five hundred contestants would audition today. Some had even camped outside overnight for a spot.

"People really are crazy about this show."

But it made sense. Rising Star was a gateway to fame. Winners became household names. Finalists secured record deals. Even those who didn't make it far gained exposure. For many, this was their one shot at stardom.

For Prince, however, there were two main reasons he was here.

When he first transmigrated, he had no clear goal. Then, he saw a Rising Star advertisement and then, a system appeared.

---

[System Status]

[Prince Jefferson] [22 years old]

[Singing Level: Basic Grade 5]

– Has all the basic qualities of a vocalist.

– A uniquely calm and enchanting voice.

– Can express emotions like the very best.

[Special Skill: Identify, Musical Memory]

Identify → Allows him to see others' status.

Musical Memory → A near-eidetic recall of melodies, lyrics, and rhythms.

[Instrument Mastery: Guitar- Basic Grade 5]

[Mission]

[Become a Star]

Join Rising Star and win the new season.

Reward: Unknown

---

Prince had quickly assessed his financial situation, and the results were grim. His past self had a job as a waiter in a bar, which barely covered rent and food. The old Prince had never dared to audition. He loved music but never believed he was good enough. But now, the system changed everything.

Well, not really changed—but at least it gave him a goal. With the skill he got from the system's gift box, he had Identify and Musical Memory. That meant he had a powerful advantage.

With that, he had submitted a video audition online. To his surprise, he had been selected for the preliminary rounds.

"This still feels like a dream."

Just then, a staff member entered the waiting room.

"We will now start calling contestants. You will have five minutes to impress the judges."

One by one, names were called. Finally—after what felt like an eternity—he heard it.

"Contestant number 633! Prince Jefferson!"

Prince immediately stood up. Grabbing his guitar, he followed the staff member toward the stage.

It was time to shine.